Sentinel System for Detection of Schistosome Transmission

Coenraad Adema of the University of New Mexico in the U.S. will develop a device to attract, capture, and display a signal from the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni in order to determine transmission risks and support control efforts. Adema will confirm the reported attraction of the parasite larvae to particular chemicals (chemoattractants) and then analyze whether the subsequent release of parasite enzymes can induce a color change that can be quantitatively detected using a chromogenic substrate. A prototype floating detection device carrying the most effective chemoattractant and substrate will be developed that also enables recovery of parasite DNA for molecular-based detection.